Detroit buses resume service following morning stoppage

Officials say drivers have ended a work stoppage and public buses resumed running following an announcement that Detroit police officers will randomly stop and board city buses in some high-problem areas.

Mayor Dave Bing released the plan at a press conference Friday.

1:52 PM

According to city officials, Detroit bus service may resume as early as this afternoon.

The Associated Press reports:

The office of Mayor Dave Bing said in a statement that he would be joined by Detroit Police Department officials and officials with the bus drivers' union on Friday afternoon to announce an agreement to end Friday's work stoppage, which left commuters stranded at bus stops.

The Detroit mayor's office said no city buses are running because drivers refused to go on their routes the day after a driver was involved in a physical altercation with passengers.

Dan Lijana, a spokesman for Mayor Dave Bing, said Detroit Department of Transportation driversreported to work early Friday but refused to drive. He said the mayor's office believes it's in response to Thursday's altercation at downtown's Rosa Parks Transit Center.

Lijana said the mayor's office is working to address the drivers' concerns and hopes to get buses running later Friday.

He said the safety of passengers and drivers is a top priority.

Bus riders are being left at stops all over the city this morning. A recording on a Detroit Department of Transportation customer service line said the department "sincerely apologizes for extreme delays in service." The recording said efforts were taking place to restore usual service.

This does not affect Detroit Public School yellow buses, which are running normally. School officials said high school students are encouraged to use alternative forms of transportation this morning. They also said there will be no negative consequences for students who are tardy.